Trent University Durham is the first campus in Canada to offer the EVERYbody Project - a gender-inclusive, dissonance-based body image intervention designed to spark critical conversations about ideals, identity, and inclusion.
Brought to campus through a collaboration between Eating Disorders Ontario - Prevention (EDO-P), Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), and the passionate team of therapists and wellness coordinators at Trent Durham, the EVERYbody Project empowers students to critically examine and challenge harmful narratives about appearance ideals. The goal: reducing eating disorder risk and fostering body liberation for everyone.
"This initiative embodies what Trent Durham does best - driving positive social change through collaborative partnerships that provide students with opportunities to apply their skills in meaningful, real-world settings," said Corinn Phillips, assistant director of Student Wellness at Trent Durham. "We're always looking to create space for students to be active participants and change makers in their community, so they can carry those experiences forward into their future careers."
For fourth-year Social Work student Mursal Alami, facilitating a new body image education program was an opportunity to put theory into practice.
Mursal joined the initiative as a peer facilitator as part of an academic field placement. In this role, she guided a small group of students through candid, often vulnerable discussions about how race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, and body size shape our experiences and self-worth.
"It resonated with me right away," says Mursal. "I learned so much about myself and my values. I've always been drawn to the helping professions, but facilitating this program reaffirmed for me just how vital social workers are in fostering healthy communities."
Behind the scenes, the rollout of the EVERYbody Project was a collaborative effort, with PRHC providing training support funded through EDO-P. Heather Burgomaster, EDO-P East Region Team Lead at PRHC, says Trent Durham's team brought a remarkable level of enthusiasm and leadership.
"Trent has been an incredible partner," says Burgomaster. "The University's commitment to student leadership and well-being set the tone for what this program can look like on a Canadian campus. They've helped us make vital connections with other institutions interested in adopting the program."
At Trent Durham, the program's launch brought together four student facilitators alongside staff wellness professionals. Each facilitator completed a robust training process that included guidance from Dr. Anna Ciao, the program creator from Western Washington University. Campus staff and students continue to have ongoing program support through collaboration with their PRHC prevention specialist, Nazia Bhatti.
A core component of the EVERYbody Project is its call to action. Participants are encouraged to advocate for body compassion by calling out harmful norms and promoting content that supports liberation. When the program returns this fall, some past participants may step into facilitator roles themselves, ensuring the conversations continue to ripple outward.
Mursal says the experience helped her grow as a communicator and collaborator. "I learned how to guide a conversation without dominating it, how to really listen, and how to stay grounded in emotionally charged situations."
Supporting her peers has been one of the most meaningful parts of her academic journey. "It's experiences like this that prepare you for the work you want to do," she says.
Learn more about the Social Work program at Trent University Durham GTA.
